In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on Tuesday, Christie said Obama needs to be straight with the American people about their health insurance under the new healthcare law -- and own up to his mistakes.

"Don't be so cute," Christie advised, saying that if Obama misunderstood how the law would operate, "just admit it to people, say you know what, 'I said it, I was wrong. I'm sorry, and we're going to try and fix it, and make it better.'"

The president promised in 2009 that people could keep their current insurance under the new law if they wanted to, but he lately has conceded they can keep their insurance only if it complies with the new law, CNN has noted.

"Don't lawyer it, people don't like lawyers," Christie said, adding that when he saw Obama trying to clarify his insurance pledge, he thought, "That's Barack Obama the lawyer, not the leader. People want leaders, not lawyers."